Can normal people wear catwalk beauty trends?
Let's be honest: catwalk beauty trends can seem a little, well, out there.
In the past few seasons we've seen everything from gold lipstick to glittery eyebrows, and many trends in-between that seem totally unwearable and unrealistic to anyone other than supermodels on the catwalk.
With this in mind we set out to try the 5 weirdest beauty trends from the past couple of seasons, to see if they can actually be pulled off IRL (that's in real life, to you and I).
While they got some pretty odd stares while coveting these bold looks, our beauty girls Becky and Alice attempted to replicate the catwalk looks as closely as they could - in the name of research, of course.
IndigitalOn the catwalk
The Trend: Gold Lips
Seen at: Prada SS16
Pat McGrath's gold lip was one of the most talked about beauty looks from the most recent season. MAC Senior Makeup Artist Dominic Skinner argues that: "the Gold Lip as seen at the Prada show really sums up the futuristic optimism of the SS16 season."
In real life (IRL)
Products & technique: While Becky (right) opted for a more subtle, wearable shade of gold (Dolce & Gabbana's Gold lipstick), Alice went for the more extreme end of the gold lip spectrum, replicating the Prada look almost exactly. MAC's Dominic Skinner recommends using MAC's rose gold pigment to create this look: "Using a flat eyeshadow brush, press M·A·C Metallic Pigment in Rose Gold on the lip. For a clean edge, use a Cotton Bud dipped in makeup remover and draw around the outside edge of the lip."
Our Verdict:
Becky (right): "I wanted to try the gold trend, twisted with a colour. This version of the trend, with orangey tones, is actually rather wearable, and makes for a pretty unique festive lip."
Alice: "This was fun. It's certainly a statement and it has an out of space feel to it (which I love). However, in terms of wearing gold lips every day, realistically, I won't but for the Christmas party season? Absolutely."
IndigitalOn the catwalk
The Trend: Very dark lips.
Seen at: Giles AW15.
Gothy lips dominated the catwalk during AW15, with the darkest being seen here, at Giles. MAC Senior Artist Debbie Finnegan says of the look: “I love the empowering feel that this lip gives to a face. This is a character not to be messed with. They know their own mind."
IRL
Products & technique: The darkest lipstick we could find was MDM Flow's Di La La, which is a bold black shade. Alice (left) opted for this one, while Becky (right) chose a very dark blackcurrant hue with a slight shine. She used MAC's lipstick in Heroine, lined lips with Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat in Bad Romance, and finished off with a dab of Charlotte Tilbury's lipgloss in Unleash Me.
Our Verdict:
Becky (right): "This was my favourite of the looks by far. It's so vampy and full of attitude... perfect for the party season, oh, and halloween!"
Alice: "I love this look, it's dramatic but not ridiculous and the colour is perfect for this season's gothic beauty trend. It may look a little scary but dark lips are always classic. If you decide to wear it, just make sure you keep the rest of your makeup very minimal otherwise you'll run the risk of looking overdone."
IndigitalOn the catwalk
The Trend: Graphic eyeliner
Seen at: Rochas
Bold eyeliner was everywhere during AW15, and is an easy way to make a bold statement for winter.
IndigitalOn the catwalk
The Trend: Graphic eyeliner
Seen at: Anthony Vaccarello
IRL
Products & technique: "To re-create use M·A·C Penultimate Eye Liner to draw a graphic shape that is streamlined and is more than the typical feline shape,” says MAC's Debbie Finnegan.
Our Verdict:
Becky (right): "I'm not sure I could rock this look anywhere other than at a fancy dress party. It's still more wearable than Alice's look, however...!"
Alice: "Well, I actually really like this liner look. It kind of reminds me of a twist on the 60s however I really can't think of an occasion where I'd opt for it unless it was for fancy dress."
GettyOn the catwalk
The Trend: Blue (in this case, applied in the shape of a mask)
Seen at: Chanel (and in more subtle forms at DVF)
We're calling it: blue will be the colour of the summer in 2016, especially on the eyes. MAC's Debbie says: “I love the femininity and ethereal feel to this look. It's a quiet play on womanly strength. The sky blue colour projects a feeling of calmness and positivity."
IRL
Products & technique: The girls used Rimmel's eyeshadow in the shade A-list... and basically painted each other's faces!
Our Verdict:
Becky (right): "I feel like a ninja. I think it's safe to say I cannot pull this one off... in fact, I'm doubtful it would work on many off of the catwalk. When worn on just the lids however, this trend can be beautiful"
Alice: "No, no, no, no, no. This does not translate well from runway to everyday at all."
Go RunwayOn the catwalk
The Trend: Glittery eyebrows
Seen at: Chanel AW12 (we know this one is a few seasons back, we just really wanted to try it out IRL!)
IRL
Products & technique: Becky and Alice used glitter pots from Topshop Beauty to create their different looks. They applied vaseline on the eyebrows first to make the glitter stick.
Our Verdict:
Becky (left): "This trend is so much fun, which is why we wanted to try it IRL. While I got some seriously odd stares when walking around the office (so wouldn't be able to totally style it out in an everyday scenario), I'm excited to say I may be bringing out the glitter pots for Halloween, which is just around the corner!)
Alice: "Why can't people wear glittery eyebrows everyday? I will definitely be sporting a pair come festival season..."
